Note: Although this team shares its name with the historical group (see: Shinsengumi), they are only spelled the same in alphabetical languages. In Japanese, this group is spelled 真選組 while the historical group is spelled 新選組.

Virtually all members of this team have names that directly reference members of the historical group (generally being in one-to-one positions on the team). Part of the general parody aspect of the Gintama manga means many of the major characters in multiple factions are direct parallels to historical figures from the era of the Shinsengumi. But they don't always match up one-to-one. For example, one of the most prominent members of the historical Shinsengumi (Shinpachi) is referenced in name by one of the Yorozuya members in Gintama instead.